THE FUTURE OF NIGERIAN eBOOKS (e-
Updated 25 February 2012
eBooks (e-
Like many developing countries, especially those in Africa, Nigeria lags woefully behind the developed world in terms of the development and application of relevant technology – an unfortunate digital divide. This accounts for why eBooks and virtual libraries are in their infancy in Nigeria – an incontrovertible conclusion drawn from my recent research into the evolution and state of virtual or digital libraries in Nigerian universities (Federal, State, and Private). This is a major reason for the dismal global ranking of Nigerian universities based on all the major indices. Some Nigerian universities do not have functional websites! Tell it not in Gath!
However, the situation with regard to Nigerian eBooks is changing, albeit slowly.
That was exactly how mobile phones stated slowly in 2001, but today, Nigerian Global
System for Mobile communications (GSM) market has grown to become one of the major
and most attractive in the world. Therefore, one need not have Solomonic wisdom to
be able to predict that in the nearest future Nigeria will be one of the major eBook
markets in the world. There are strong indicators that justify this optimism: the
Nigerian Central Bank is committed to evolving a less-
The realisation of the goal of contributing to the development of the eBook culture in Nigeria is the philosophy underlying the promotion, production, and distribution of Nigerian eBooks (starting with Nigerian law eBooks) by Nigerian Law Resources. The first phase of this revolutionary project includes the following:
1. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria eBook;
2. Nigerian Constitution eBook (Full Text of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with all Amendments and Annotations);
3. Nigerian Law of Evidence eBook (Full Text of the Nigerian Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 with Annotations);
4. Laws of the States of Nigeria, starting with Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria eBook (already available on Amazon eBookstores worldwide, which can be read on the Amazon Kindle, mobile phone, BlackBerry, iPhone, iPad, other eReaders and PDAs, and the computer, of course).
Nigerian Law Resources is wholly committed to the evolution of Nigerian eBooks, especially Nigerian law eBooks. Our Nigerian eBooks will enhance the availability of Nigerian books (eBooks written in Nigeria and eBooks written outside Nigeria on issues relating to Nigeria in various disciplines – law, commerce, banking and finance, engineering, medicine, agriculture, architecture, urban and regional planning, estate management, literature, languages, natural and physical sciences, politics, business, religion, etc.). Surely, I can see over the horizon more than a beacon of hope, indeed a bright future for Nigerian eBooks, exactly the way it happened with GSM. Yes, it will, and very soon, too.
Nigerian Law Links
Lawsofthefederationofnigeria.Com
Lawsofthefederationofnigeria.Org
Professionalebookpublishers.Com
Nigerian Law Practice Areas
• Nigerian Administrative Law
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AN OVERVIEW OF ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE UNDER NIGERIAN LEGAL SYSTEM
Updated 25 February 2012
The Doctrine of Separation of Powers was propounded by the French sociological jurist, Montesquieu (1689 – 1755), in one of his popular works – De l’Esprit des Lois (The Spirit of the Laws) in 1748. Professor Lloyd comments on his legal philosophy in The Spirit of the Laws as follows:
For Montesquieu mankind was influenced by a variety of factors: climate, religion, laws, maxims of government, morals and customs. The structure of a society thus hinged on the workings of many factors. He saw the individual as merely the instrument of historical change, “a passive element within a system conceived as the ceaseless interaction of moral and physical forces. . . Montesquieu argued that law was the product of numerous factors, for example local manners, custom, physical environment: a good law, he maintained, conformed to the spirit of society. [1]
The philosophy underlying the Doctrine of Separation of Powers is that the liberty of the individual is secure only if the three primary functions of the State (legislative, executive, and judicial) are exercised by distinct and independent organs.” [2] The Constitution of the United States of America [3] and those of many other countries (including the Nigerian Constitution) are based on this Doctrine.
Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 define legislative, executive, and judicial powers, respectively. Sections 47 – 129 (Chapter V) provide for the Legislature, sections 130 – 229 (Chapter VI) provide for the Executive, while sections 230 – 296 (Chapter VII) provide for the Judicature.
Judicial Powers of Courts
We have already appreciated the fact that a legal system is also concerned with the system of administration of justice. Administration of justice is the basic function of the Judiciary, which is usually one of the three arms of Government in a democratic setting. The other arms of Government are the Executive and the Legislature.
The courts are empowered to resolve disputes through the dispensation of justice guaranteed under section 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which confers judicial powers on them:
6. (1) The judicial powers of the Federation shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established for the Federation.
(2) The judicial powers of a State shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established, subject as provided by this Constitution, for a State.
(3) The courts to which this section relates, established by this Constitution for the Federation and for the States, specified in subsection (5)(a) to (i) of this section shall be the only superior courts of record in Nigeria; and save as otherwise prescribed by the National Assembly or by the House of Assembly of a State, each court shall have all the powers of a superior court of record.
(4) Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this section shall be construed as precluding –
(a) the National Assembly or any House of Assembly from establishing courts, other than those to which this section relates, with subordinate jurisdiction to that of a High Court;
(b) the National Assembly or any House of Assembly, which does not require it, from abolishing any court which it has power to establish or which it has brought into being.
(5) This section relates to –
(a) the Supreme Court of Nigeria;
(b) the Court of Appeal;
(c) the Federal High Court;
(d) the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja;
(e) a High Court of a State;
(f) the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja;
(g) a Sharia Court of Appeal of a State;
(h) the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja;
(i) a Customary Court of Appeal of a State;
(j) such other courts as may be authorised by law to exercise jurisdiction on matters with respect to which the National Assembly may make laws; and
(k) such other courts as may be authorised by law to exercise jurisdiction at first instance or on appeal on matters with respect to which a House of Assembly may make laws.
(6) The judicial powers vested in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section –
(a) shall extend, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, to all inherent powers and sanctions of a court of law;
(b) shall extend to all matters between persons, or between government or authority and to any person in Nigeria, and to all actions and proceedings relating thereto, for the determination of any question as to the civil rights and obligations of that person;
(c) shall not, except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, extend to any issue or question as to whether any act or omission by any authority or person or as to whether any law or any judicial decision is in conformity with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy set out in Chapter II of this Constitution;
(d) shall not, as from the date when this section comes into force, extend to any action or proceedings relating to any existing law made on or after 15th January, 1966 for determining any issue or question as to the competence of any authority or person to make any such law.
It should be noted that section 6(6) thereof specifies the extent of the judicial powers of the courts. The Court of Appeal, in Ladejobi v Oguntayo (2001) FWLR (Part 45) 780 at 793, defined judicial power as “the authority vested in courts and Judges to hear and decide cases and to make binding judgments on them; the power to construe and apply the law when controversies arise over what has been done or not done.” [4]
Basic Function of Courts
We may summarise the nature of the function of courts in the most succinct words of Eweluka, which we now quote in extenso:
“Generally, the courts have the last and the most authoritative say in the determination
and pronouncement of what justice demands in every situation involving claims and
counter-
In the exercise of these functions, the courts have a wide range of choices to make
in each case; they are therefore vested with a great deal of discretionary powers.
But as a human institution partaking of all the weaknesses and frailties of human
nature, the courts can be biased, influenced, unreasonable or mistaken in the exercise
of the discretion. As a result, guidelines are usually provided to control and regulate
their choice of law and facts; they are expected to follow well-
The Supreme Court reiterated the proper function of courts in Sagay v Sajere (2000) 4 SC (Part 1) 187 at 193 where it held that the decision of a court must be based on the evidence and on reason. It should not be based on the intuition of the Judge or conjecture or what the Judge, untrammelled by the evidence, conceives to be a fair conclusion. When a Judge who, guided by the pleadings, has heard evidence in a case but has in his judgment failed to give a fair summary of the cases presented by the parties and to summarise the evidence and make findings of fact on the various material issues raised in the pleadings, he cannot be seen to have discharged his judicial function properly. Most recently in Layinka v Makinde (2002) FWLR (Part 109) 1557 at 1570, the Supreme Court reiterated that a trial court has the primary function of assessing the quality of the evidence received by it, by giving credence to, or expressing doubt about, witnesses whom it had the advantage of seeing and hearing testify, weighing the evidence of one witness against that of another where appropriate, making findings of fact, and finally deciding on the matter. In Ikyernum v Iorkumbur (2002) FWLR (Part 110) 1908 the Court of Appeal overturned the decision of the High Court because it was lopsided.
..............................................
[1] Lloyd’s Introduction to Jurisprudence (1986), pp. 123, 549.
[2] A Concise Dictionary of Law (1990), p. 378.
[3] The Doctrine is enshrined in Articles I – III of the Constitution of the United States of America: Article I (Legislative Powers); Article II (Executive Power); and Article III (Judicial Powers).
[4] The Court adopted the definition of Black’s Law Dictionary (1999), p. 851.
[5] Introduction to Nigerian Law (1980), pp. 54 – 55.
A Concise Dictionary of Law, Second Edition. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1990.
Black’s Law Dictionary, 6th Edition – Centennial Edition (1891 – 1991). Publisher’s Editorial Staff and Nolan, Joseph R. et al. (ed.). St Paul, Minnesota, West Publishing Co., 1991.
Lord Lloyd of Hampstead; Freeman, M. D. A. Lloyd’s Introduction to Jurisprudence, ELBS Edition. London, Steven’s & Sons Ltd., 1986.
Okonkwo, C. O. (ed.). Introduction to Nigerian Law. London, Sweet & Maxwell, 1980.
Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria: An Encyclopaedic Guide (2011)
• You can read this eBook on your mobile phone, blackberry, Amazon Kindle, other
PDAs (mobile devices), and your computer. It is available for immediate download
on world-
• It is updated from time to time to reflect changes in the Law -
• Paper edition is also available.
Product description as it appears on Amazon websites (US, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, France, etc):
Product Description
Rivers State was created out of the former Eastern Nigeria on 27 May 1967 by virtue of the States (Creation and Transitional Provisions) Decree No. 14 of 1967, and inherited Eastern Nigeria legislation in accordance with section 1(5) of the said Decree. Consequently, legislation applicable to Rivers State as at 27 May 1967 consisted of the Laws contained in The Revised Edition of The Laws of Eastern Nigeria 1963 and those enacted between 1963 and 1967. Thereafter, Edicts were promulgated by the successive Military Governors of Rivers State between 1968 and 28 May 1999, interspersed with brief periods of democratic Government that enacted Laws.
The first and only revision of the Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria was published as The Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999 containing legislation still in force at that time. It should be noted that by virtue of section 3 of the Revised Edition (Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria) Law 1991, there may be Laws which, although omitted in The Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999, still have the force of law, just like those included in it. Unfortunately, there is an operational disconnect between the enactment of legislation and their publication in the official form either in the Official Gazette or in bound annual volumes as required by law. Consequently, it becomes a Herculean task to search for every piece of legislation which may be hidden in volumes of files containing signed copies or among thousands of copies of the Official Gazette littered in several locations! Herein lies one aspect of the indispensability of this book, the first edition of which was published in 1994. Without this book, even lawyers may not be aware of some of the existing Laws.
This eBook shall be updated from time to time (throughout a particular year) to reflect
changing developments in the Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria. Therefore, readers
should remember to check for updates and re-
Table of Contents:
1. Updates and Editions Information
2. Comments on this Book
3. Abbreviations and Guide Notes
4. Acknowledgments
5. About the Author
6. Introduction
7. Part 1: Chronological Table of Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria (Laws of Eastern Nigeria 1963 – 2011 Rivers State Laws)
8. Part 2: Alphabetical Table of Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria (Laws of Eastern Nigeria 1963 – 2011 Rivers State Laws)
9. Part 3: Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria (Laws of Eastern Nigeria 1963 – 1998 Rivers State Laws) with Notes
10. Part 4: Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999 (Revised Statute Book) and Laws
made thereafter (1999 -
11. Chapters of the Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999
12. Appendices
The Author
The author, Leesi Ebenezer Mitee, holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree of the University of Huddersfield (United Kingdom). He is a Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, lecturer, and former Law Research Consultant to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the Capacity Development for Social Reconciliation Project that provided the juridical foundation of the West Africa Moratorium on Small Arms (light weapons) in 1998. He became a Law Research Consultant to the Rivers State of Nigeria Government in 1994 based on his expertise in the Laws of Rivers State, as evidenced by the first edition of this book.
Product details
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 489 KB
Publisher: Worldwwide Business Resources, United Kingdom; 2 edition (24 Sep 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
Language English
ASIN: B005O052TA
CLICK HERE TO BUY FROM AMAZON SECURE WEBSITE
Nigerian Constitution 1999 eBook (With All Amendments and Notes)
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CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (PROMULGATION) DECREE 1999
1999 Decree No. 24
[5th May, 1999] Commencement
WHEREAS the Federal Military Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in compliance
with the Transition to Civil Rule (Political Programme) Decree 1998 has, through
the Independent National Electoral Commission, conducted elections to the office
of President and Vice-
AND WHEREAS the Federal Military Government in furtherance of its commitment to hand
over to a democratically elected civilian administration on 29th May 1999 inaugurated
on 11th November 1998, the Constitutional Debate Co-
AND WHEREAS the Constitutional Debate Co-
AND WHEREAS the Constitutional Debate Co-
AND WHEREAS the Provisional Ruling Council has approved the report subject to such amendments as are deemed necessary in the public interest and for the purpose of promoting the security, welfare and good governance and fostering the unity and progress of the people of Nigeria with a view to achieving its objective of handing over an enduring Constitution to the people of Nigeria;
AND WHEREAS, it is necessary in accordance with the programme on transition to civil rule for the Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria 1979 after necessary amendments and approval by the Provisional Ruling Council to be promulgated into a new Constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria in order to give the same force of law with effect from 29th May 1999:
NOW THEREFORE, THE FEDERAL MILITARY GOVERNMENT hereby decrees as follows:-
Promulgation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. Schedule.
1. (1) There shall be for Nigeria a Constitution which shall be as set out in the Schedule to this Decree.
(2) The Constitution set out in the Schedule to this Decree shall come into force on 29th May 1999.
(3) Whenever it may hereafter be necessary for the Constitution to be printed it shall be lawful for the Federal Government Printer to omit all parts of this Decree apart from the Schedule and the Constitution as so printed shall have the force of law notwithstanding the omission.
Citation
2. This Decree may be cited as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Promulgation) Decree 1999.
SCHEDULE section 1(1)
CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 1999
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Part I – Federal Republic of Nigeria
1. Supremacy of the Constitution.
2. The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
3. States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Part II – Powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
4. Legislative powers.
5. Executive powers.
6. Judicial powers.
7. Local government system.
8. New States and boundary adjustment, etc.
9. Mode of altering provisions of the Constitution.
10. Prohibition of State Religion.
11. Public order and public security.
12. Implementation of treaties.
CHAPTER II
FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVES AND DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY
13. Fundamental obligations of the Government.
14. The Government and the people.
15. Political objectives.
16. Economic objectives.
17. Social objectives.
18. Educational objectives.
19. Foreign policy objectives.
20. Environmental objectives.
21. Directive on Nigerian cultures.
22. Obligation of the mass media.
23. National ethics.
24. Duties of the citizen.
CHAPTER III
CITIZENSHIP
25. Citizenship by birth.
26. Citizenship by registration.
27. Citizenship by naturalisation.
28. Dual citizenship.
29. Renunciation of citizenship.
30. Deprivation of citizenship.
31. Persons deemed to be Nigerian citizens.
32. Power to make regulations.
CHAPTER IV
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
33. Right to life.
34. Right to dignity of human person.
35. Right to personal liberty.
36. Right to fair hearing.
37. Right to private and family life.
38. Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
39. Right to freedom of expression and the press.
40. Right to peaceful assembly and association.
41. Right to freedom of movement.
42. Right to freedom from discrimination.
43. Right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria.
44. Compulsory acquisition of property.
45. Restriction on and derogation from fundamental rights.
46. Special jurisdiction of High court and legal aid.
CHAPTER V
THE LEGISLATURE
Part I – National Assembly
A – Composition and staff of National Assembly
47. Establishment of the National Assembly.
48. Composition of the Senate.
49. Composition of the House of Representatives.
50. President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
51. Staff of the National Assembly.
B – Procedure for Summoning and Dissolution of National Assembly
52. Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of members.
53. Presiding at sittings of the National Assembly and at joint sittings.
54. Quorum.
55. Languages.
56. Voting.
57. Unqualified person sitting or voting.
58. Mode of exercising federal legislative power: general.
59. Mode of exercising Federal legislative power: money bills.
60. Regulation of procedure.
61. Vacancy or participation of strangers not to invalidate proceedings.
62. Committees.
63. Sittings.
64. Dissolution and issue of proclamations by President.
C – Qualifications for Membership of National Assembly and Right of Attendance
65. Qualifications for election.
66. Disqualifications.
67. Right of attendance of President.
68. Tenure of seat of members.
69. Recall.
70. Remuneration.
D – Elections to National Assembly
71. Senatorial districts and Federal constituencies.
72. Size of Senatorial districts and Federal constituencies.
73. Periodical review of Senatorial districts and Federal constituencies.
74. Time when alteration of Senatorial districts or Federal constituencies takes effect.
75. Ascertainment of population.
76. Time of election to the National Assembly.
7.7. Direct election and franchise.
78. Supervision of election.
79. Power of the National Assembly as to determination of certain questions.
E – Powers and Control over Public Funds
80. Establishment of Consolidated Revenue Fund.
81. Authorisation of expenditure from Consolidated Revenue Fund.
82. Authorisation of expenditure in default of appropriations.
83. Contingencies Fund.
84. Remuneration, etc. of the President and certain other officers.
85. Audit of public accounts.
86. Appointment of Auditor-
87. Tenure of office of Auditor-
88. Power to conduct investigations.
89. Power as to matters of evidence.
Part II – House of Assembly of a State
A – Composition and Staff of House of Assembly
90. Establishment of House of Assembly for each State.
91. Composition of the House of Assembly.
92. Speaker of House of Assembly.
93. Staff of House of Assembly.
B – Procedure for Summoning and Dissolution of House of Assembly
94. Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of members.
95. Presiding at sittings.
96. Quorum.
97. Languages.
98. Voting.
99. Unqualified person sitting or voting.
100. Mode of exercising legislative power of a State.
101. Regulation of procedure.
102. Vacancy or participation of strangers not to invalidate proceedings.
103. Committees.
104. Sittings.
105. Dissolution and issue of proclamation by Governor.
C – Qualification for Membership of House of Assembly and Right of Attendance
106. Qualifications for election.
107. Disqualifications.
108. Right of attendance of Governor.
109. Tenure of seat of members.
110. Recall.
111. Remuneration.
D – Elections to a House of Assembly
112. State constituencies.
113. Size of State constituencies.
114. Periodical review of State constituencies.
115. Time when alteration of State constituencies takes effect.
116. Time of elections to Houses of Assembly.
117. Direct election and franchise.
118. Supervision of election.
119. Power of National Assembly as to determination of certain questions.
E – Power and Control over Public funds
120. Establishment of Consolidated Revenue Fund.
121. Authorisation of expenditure from Consolidated Revenue Fund.
122. Authorisation of expenditure in default of appropriations.
123. Contingencies Fund.
124. Remuneration, etc., of the Governor and certain other officers.
125. Audit of public accounts.
126. Appointment of Auditor-
127. Tenure of office of Auditor-
128. Power to conduct investigations.
129. Power as to matters of evidence.
CHAPTER VI
THE EXECUTIVE
Part I – Federal Executive
A – The President of the Federation
130. Establishment of the office of President.
131. Qualification for election as President.
132. Election of the President: general.
133. Election: single Presidential candidate.
134. Election: two or more Presidential candidates.
135. Tenure of office of President.
136. Death, etc. of President-
137. Disqualifications.
138. President: disqualification from other jobs.
139. Determination of certain questions relating to election.
140. Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of President.
141. Establishment of office of Vice-
142. Nomination and election of Vice-
143. Removal of President from office.
144. Permanent incapacity of President or Vice-
145. Acting President during temporary absence of President.
146. Discharge of functions of President.
147. Ministers of Federal Government.
148. Executive responsibilities of Ministers.
149. Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of Ministers.
150. Attorney-
151. Special Advisers.
152. Declaration of assets and liabilities; oath of Special Adviser.
B – Establishment of Certain Federal Executive Bodies
153. Federal Commissions and Councils, etc.
154. Appointment of Chairman and members.
155. Tenure of office of members.
156. Qualification for membership.
157. Removal of members.
158. Independence of certain bodies.
159. Quorum and decisions.
160. Powers and procedure.
161. Interpretation.
C – Public Revenue
162. Distributable pool account.
163. Allocation of other revenue.
164. Federal grants-
165. Cost of collection of certain duties.
166. Set-
167. Sums charged on Consolidated Revenue Fund.
168. Provisions with regard to payments.
D – The Public Service of the Federation
169. Establishment of civil service of the Federation.
170. Federal Civil Service Commission: power to delegate functions.
171. Presidential appointments.
172. Code of Conduct.
173. Protection of pension rights.
174. Public prosecutions.
175. Prerogative of mercy.
Part II – State Executive
A – The Governor of a State
176. Establishment of the office of Governor.
177. Qualification for election as Governor.
178. Election of Governor: general.
179. Election: single candidate and two or more candidates.
180. Tenure of office of Governor.
181. Death, etc, of Governor-
182. Disqualifications.
183. Governor; disqualification from other jobs.
184. Determination of certain questions relating to elections.
185. Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of office of Governor.
186. Establishment of the office of Deputy Governor.
187. Nomination and election of Deputy Governor.
188. Removal of Governor or Deputy Governor from office.
189. Permanent incapacity of Governor or Deputy Governor.
190. Acting Governor during temporary absence of Governor.
191. Discharge of functions of Governor.
192. Commissioners of State Government.
193. Executive responsibilities of Deputy Governor and Commissioners.
194. Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of Commissioners.
195. Attorney-
196. Special Advisers.
B – Establishment of Certain State Executive Bodies
197. State Commissions.
198. Appointment of Chairman and members.
199. Tenure of office of members.
200. Qualification for membership.
201. Removal of members.
202. Independence of certain bodies.
203. Quorum and decisions.
204. Powers and procedure.
205. Interpretation.
C – The Public Service of a State
206. Establishment of State civil service.
207. State Civil Service Commission: power of delegation.
208. Appointments by Governor.
209. Code of Conduct.
210. Protection of pension rights.
211. Public prosecutions.
212. Prerogative of mercy.
Part III – Supplemental
A – National Population Census
213. National population census.
B – Nigeria Police Force
214. Establishment of Nigeria Police Force.
215. Appointment of Inspector-
216. Delegation of powers to the Inspector-
C – Armed Forces of the Federation
217. Establishment and composition of the armed forces of the Federation.
218. Command and operational use.
219. Establishment of body to ensure federal character of armed forces.
220. Compulsory military service.
D – Political Parties
221. Prohibition of political activities by certain associations.
222. Restriction on formation of political parties.
223. Constitution and rules of political parties.
224. Aims and objects.
225. Finances of political parties.
226. Annual report on finances.
227. Prohibition of quasi-
228. Powers of the National Assembly with respect to political parties.
229. Interpretation.
CHAPTER VII
THE JUDICATURE
Part I – Federal Courts
A – The Supreme Court of Nigeria
230. Establishment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
231. Appointment of Chief Justice of Nigeria and Justices of the Supreme Court.
232. Original jurisdiction.
233. Appellate jurisdiction.
234. Constitution.
235. Finality of determinations.
236. Practice and procedure.
B – The Court of Appeal
237. Establishment of Court of Appeal.
238. Appointment of President and Justices of the Court of Appeal.
239. Original jurisdiction.
240. Appellate jurisdiction.
241. Appeals as of right from the Federal High Court or a High Court.
242. Appeals with leave.
243. Exercise of right of appeal from the Federal High Court or a High Court in civil and criminal matters.
244. Appeals from Sharia Court of Appeal.
245. Appeals from Customary Court of Appeal.
246. Appeals from Code of Conduct Tribunal and other courts and tribunals
247. Constitution.
248. Practice and procedure.
C – The Federal High Court
249. Establishment of the Federal High Court.
250. Appointment of Chief Judge and Judges of the Federal High Court.
251. Jurisdiction.
252. Powers.
253. Constitution.
254. Practice and procedure.
D – The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
255. Establishment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
256. Appointment of Chief Judge and Judges of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
257. Jurisdiction.
258. Constitution.
259. Practice and procedure.
E – The Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
260. Establishment of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
261. Appointment of Grand Kadi and Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory. Abuja.
262. Jurisdiction.
263. Constitution.
264. Practice and procedure.
F – The Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
265. Establishment of the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
266. Appointment of President and Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
267. Jurisdiction.
268. Constitution.
269. Practice and procedure
Part II – State Courts
A – High Court of a State
270. Establishment of a High Court for each State.
271. Appointment of Chief Judge and Judges of the High Court of a State.
272. Jurisdiction: general.
273. Constitution.
274. Practice and procedure.
B – Sharia Court of Appeal of a State
275. Establishment of Sharia Court of Appeal.
276. Appointment of Grand Kadi and Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal of a State.
277. Jurisdiction.
278. Constitution.
279. Practice and procedure.
C – Customary Court of Appeal of a State
280. Establishment of Customary Court of Appeal.
281. Appointment of President and Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal of a State.
282. Jurisdiction.
283. Constitution.
284. Practice and procedure.
Part III – Election Tribunals
285. Establishment and Jurisdiction of election tribunals.
Part IV – Supplemental
286. Jurisdiction of State courts in respect of Federal causes.
287. Enforcement of decisions.
288. Appointment of persons learned in Islamic personal law and Customary law.
289. Disqualification of certain legal practitioners.
290. Declaration of assets and liabilities: oaths of judicial officers.
291. Tenure of office and pension rights of judicial officers.
292. Removal of other judicial officers from office.
293. Vacancies.
294. Determination of causes and matters.
295. Reference of questions of law.
296. Interpretation.
CHAPTER VIII
FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA AND GENERAL SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
Part I – Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
297. Federal Capital Territory. Abuja: ownership of lands.
298. Capital of the Federation.
299. Application of Constitution.
300. Representation, in the-
301. Adaptation of certain references.
302. Minister of Federal Capital Territory. Abuja.
303. Administration of the Federal Capital Territory. Abuja.
304. Establishment of the Judicial Service Committee of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Part II – Miscellaneous Provisions
305. Procedure for proclamation of state of emergency.
306. Resignations.
307. Restriction certain citizens.
308. Restriction on legal proceedings.
Part III – Transitional Provisions and Savings
309. Citizenship.
310. Staff of legislative houses.
311. Standing Orders.
312. Special provisions in respect of first election.
313. System of revenue allocation.
314. Debts.
315. Existing law.
316. Existing offices, courts and authorities.
317. Succession to property, rights, liabilities and obligations.
Part IV – Interpretation, Citation and Commencement
318. Interpretation.
319. Citation.
320. Commencement.
SCHEDULES
First Schedule:
Part I – States of the Federation
Part II – Definition and Area Councils of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
Second Schedule:
Part I – Exclusive Legislative List
Part II – Concurrent Legislative List
Part III – Supplemental and Interpretation
Third Schedule:
Part I – Federal Executive Bodies
Part II – State Executive Bodies
Part III – Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Executive Body
Fourth Schedule: Functions of a Local Government Council
Fifth Schedule:
Part I – Code of Conduct for Public Officers
Part II – Public Officers for the Purposes of the Code of Conduct
Sixth Schedule: Election Tribunals
Seventh Schedule: Oaths
CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 1999
WE THE PEOPLE of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:
HAVING firmly and solemnly resolved:
TO LIVE in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble Sovereign Nation
under God dedicated to the promotion of inter-
AND TO PROVIDE for a Constitution for the purpose of promoting the good government and welfare of all persons in our country on the principles of Freedom, Equality and Justice, and for the purpose of consolidating the Unity of our people:
DO HEREBY MAKE, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES the following Constitution:
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
PART I
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Supremacy of the Constitution
1. (1) This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
(2) The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
(3) If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria
2. (1) Nigeria is one indivisible and indissoluble Sovereign State to be known by the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
(2) Nigeria shall be a Federation consisting of States and a Federal Capital Territory.
States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
3. (1) There shall be thirty-
Part I First Schedule
(2) Each State of Nigeria named in the first column of Part I of the First Schedule to this Constitution shall consist of the area shown opposite thereto in the second column of that Schedule.
Part I First Schedule
(3) The headquarters of the Government of each State shall be known as the Capital City of that State as shown in the third column of the said Part I of the First Schedule opposite the State named in the first column thereof.
Part II First Schedule
(4) The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja shall be as defined in Part II of the First Schedule to this Constitution.
(5) The provisions of this Constitution in Part I of Chapter VIII hereof shall, in relation to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have effect in the manner set out thereunder.
Part I and II First Schedule
(6) There shall be seven hundred and sixty-
.....................................
NOTE: This Constitution has 320 Sections, all which shall be published in our forthcoming eBook.
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